Inhaler



Patented pr. 7, 1936i UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE INHALER Japan Application November 28, 1934, Serial No. 755,088 In Japan June 20, 1934 9 Claims.

This invention relates to inhalers and has special reference to an inhaler utilizing a steam actuated atom-izer.

One important object of the invention is to provide an inhaler of this type having a novel chamber wherein `the atomization is effected, said chamber being provided With valved ports for the admission of air to mix -with the atomized fluid.

A second important object of the invention is to so arrange the air ports of the chamber that air is admitted in a multiplicity of fine streams to mingle completely with the atomized fluid.

A third important object of the invention is to provide the atomizer chamber of such an -inhaler with novel means permitting the introduction and withdrawal of the atomizer tubes.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide such an inhaler with a head forming an atomizer chamber and having improved means for detachably supporting a vapor delivery tube.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically claimed.

The annexed drawing shows an example of carrying out this -inhaler into practice.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the inhaler;

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical longitudinal section through the upper part of the inhaler.

Fig. 3, a detail perspective View showing the manner of connecting a steam pipe and a medicinal fluid `feeding pipe together.

Fig. 4, a side view of the spray producer partly broken away;

Fig. 5, a longitudinal section showing the manner in which a telescopic standard used herein is arranged;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section along the line VI--VI of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 is a longitudinal view showing the manner -in which the vhopper -of a steam boiler and a ball valve are secured together.

A steam pipe l is connected with a medicinal fluid feeding pipe 3 suspended in a medicinal fluid `container 2 by means of a connector 4 which is provided at the top with a projection 5 .and at the lower' side edge with a flange 6. This flange extends downwardly and forwardly and at the lower portion of the lextension there is disposed a conduit 1 for condensate while to the .lower side of said flange 6 there is attached an auxiliary connecting plate 8. The mixing chamber or head A consists of two perforated members having air holes S, 9 and l, I0 on its end surfaces and side surfaces respectively. The perforated member l2 is rotatable in the outer wall and may be rotated by moving a knob I3 xed to it in a long groove i4 cut at the top of the member Il. Thus it is possible to regulate the effective opening of the air holes to suit the particular conditions to be obtained. The head A is provided with a slot extending radially downward from the central part of the outer member of this head A and adjacent the slot there is secured an outward projecting guide l5 having an aperture Il at the semi-circular portion I6 of its top. The aperture I1 forms a seat for the projection 5 of the connector 4. Further, the head A has at the periphery of its open part an annular recess I9 to receive the rear end of a delivery tube I8. The head A has at its forward open end an annular wall 20 provided with slits 2| to form an elastic ring c for supporting the delivery tube detachably on the head.

At the end portions of a supporting piece 22 which bears the cylinder I8 are provided a conduit 23 for condensed fluid and a condensed fluid guiding member 24 to deliver condensate to the conduit 1 situated at the lower end portion of the flange 6 of said connector 4. These members 23 and 24 intersect at their lower portions and the rear end portion of said guiding member 24 engages with the guiding member I5 for attaching and detaching the head, so that the head A covers detachably the end portions of the nozzle I of the pipe l and the nozzle 3' of the pipe 3. The rear end portion and aperture yI! of the guide l5 are engaged with the ange 6 and projection 5 of the connector 4 respectively. 25 is a connecting rod to which a connector 26 is pivoted and is inserted vinV a telescopically mounted vertical pipe 3U with a handle 29 to which the tubular part 28 of the front end of a condensed fluid receptacle 2l is secured. Said pipe 30 is held frictionally in a tubular body 33 by a curved plate spring 34 mounted between the inside surface of the tubular member 33 and the pipe 3l). The member 33 is secured to the open end of the apertured part 32 of a supporting leg 3|. Thus the pipe and receptacle 21 may be adjusted vertically. The receptacle 21 has one end connected with the pipe 30 by its tubular part 28, while to its other end is attached a guiding rod 31 which can move up and down freely in an aperture 36 made in a seat 35, so that it always maintained its horizontal position. The

condensed fluid discharged into the receptacle 2l' is accumulated in a cup 39 through an exhaust pipe 38. A casing 4| at the top of the boiler 40 of the steam producing part B has an arc-shaped sunken bottom which is formed to act as a seat for the ball valve 42 carried by the end of the pipe. A cover 46 ts on the casing 4l and is secured by clamps 45. 'Ihis cover is provided with a slot 48 wherethrough the pipe I passes and thus the pipe may be tilted to desired position. A spring 43, between the cover and ball valve, holds the latter in steam tight relation to its seat.

In operation steam is produced by a burner or lamp 49 acting on water in the boiler 4U. This steam issues from the nozzle l' and atomizes fluid drawn up the pipe 3 and issuing from the nozzle 3. The mixture of atomized fluid and steam takes place in the head A and as much air as desired may there be mixed with this mixture. The condensate caused by the cool air flowing in Will pass down and be collected in the cup 39 While the remainder of the atomized fluid mixture Will flow out through the delivery tube I8. Thus, the strength of the atomized mixture may be regulated to suit the conditions desired by the physician.

I claim.

1. In an inhaler, a fluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, and a head forming a chamber into which said tubes discharge and having a slot wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned with the steam supply tube.

2. In an inhaler, a fluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an yangle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into which said tubes discharge and having a slot wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned with the steam supply tube, said head having a multiplicity of air inlet openings therein, and means to regulate the effective areas of said openings.

3. In an inhaler, a fluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into which said tubes discharge and having a slot Wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening alignedwith the steam supply tube, and a condensate channel carried by the arcuate member and receiving condensate from said head.

4. In an inhaler, a fluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into Which said tubes discharge and having a slot Wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned With the steam supply tube, said head having a multiplicity of air inlet openings therein, means to regulate the effective areas of said openings, and a condensate channel carried by the arcuate member and receiving condensate from said head.

5. In an inhaler, a fluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into which said tubes discharge and having a slot Wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned with the steam supply tube, a delivery tube leading from the said delivery opening, and means to detachably secure the delivery tube to the head.

6. In an inhaler, a fluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into Which said tubes discharge and having a slot wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned With the steam supply tube, said head having a multiplicity of air inlet openings therein, means to regulate the eiective areas of said openings, a delivery tube leading from the said delivery opening, and means t detachably secure the delivery tube to the head.

'7. In an inhaler, a iluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into which said tubes discharge and having a slot Wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned With the steam supply tube, a condensate channel carried by the arcuate member and receiving condensate from said head, a delivery tube leading from the said delivery opening, and means to detachably secure the delivery tube to the head.

8. In an inhaler, a luid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into which said tubes discharge and having a slot wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned with the steam supply tube, said head having a multiplicity of air inlet openings therein, means to regulate the eiective areas of said openings, a condensate channel carried by the arcuate member and receiving condensate from said head, a delivery tube leading from the said delivery opening, and means to detachably secure the delivery tube to the head.

9. In an inhaler, a iluid atomizing device consisting of a pair of tubes having nozzles at an angle to each other, one of said tubes being a steam supply tube, an arcuate member connecting the tubes in spaced relation to the nozzles, a head forming a chamber into which said tubes discharge and having a slot Wherethrough said tubes pass, said slot being normally closed by said arcuate member, said head having a delivery opening aligned with the steam supply tube, said head having a multiplicity of air inlet openings therein, means toregulate the eiective areas of said openings, a condensate channel carried by the arcuate member and receiving condensate from said head, a delivery tube leading from the said delivery opening, means to detachably secure the delivery tube to the head, and a support for the delivery tube and provided with condensate collecting means communicating said condensate channel.

YOZO TSUTSUMI. 

